Megan Healy, Biology Faculty, Patrick Henry CC Greg Hodges, Dean, Patrick Henry CC Transforming Colleges and Classrooms through Active Cooperative Learning

Something to Ponder… It is time for us to reaffirm that education – that, teaching in all its forms – is the primary task of higher education. Stanford University President Emeritus Donald Kennedy Video #1

PHCC Facts and Info Martinsville, VA; Foothills of VA Headcount – appx FTE – appx % receive financial aid Highest unemployment in VA for 15 years running Hovers around 18-20% Large population of “TRADE” workers (dislocated factory workers)

PHCC’s service region

Why Cooperative Learning? Encourage contact between students and faculty Develops reciprocity and cooperation among students Encourages active learning Give prompt feedback Emphasizes time on task Communicate high expectations Respects diverse talents and ways of learning Meeting Standards Chickering and Gamson (1987); Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education

10% of what we read 20% of what we hear 30% of what we see 50% of what we see and hear 80% of what we say 90% of what we say and do Resources for Organization Bowperson Publishing & Training, INC.

America’s Perfect Storm ETS Policy Information report (2007) states that America is in the midst of a perfect storm. Three forces will impact the future of our nation: Divergent skill distribution Changing Economy Changing Demography

2006 REPORT: “Are they ready to work?” (21 st Century workforce)

Basic Skills ranked as “very important” for 2 yr colleges & Tech school Grads 1. Professionalism & Work Ethic83.4% 2. Teamwork/Collaboration82.7% 3. Oral Communications82.0% 4. Critical Thinking/Problem Solving72.7% 5. Written Communications71.5% 6. Ethics & Social Responsibility70.6%

Group Work is Not CL!!! Cooperative Learning Group effort required; Students may be evaluated as a group; Students accountable to each other; Social Skills are improved; Emphasis on process and product. Group Work Little joint effort required; Students evaluated individually; Minimal interaction; Helping and Sharing is minimal; More “free-riders”; Emphasis on product. Activity: Share a CL Experience (+ or-)

Graduation and Transfer Rates with/without CL First Semester

CL in Action – Pass Rates (10/11) Developmental Math (Fast track with CL): MTH 09 (pre-Algebra)-70% MTH 03 (Algebra I)- 74% MTH 04 (Algebra II)-81%

Survival Rates with/without CL First Semester

What Does This Data Mean? If students are enrolled in CL classes: We keep them enrolled for the current semester! We get them to come back the next semester! Activity: Road blocks – identify!!!!

Roadblocks I cannot cover all the material Student Slackers One Student does all the Work Class it too large Students are unprepared for effective group learning Students do not like CL

Types of Cooperative Groups Base Groups Formal Informal Video #2 – explains each!

LECTURE BUSTING WITH INFORMAL COOPERATIVE LEARNING!

Problem Student Case Study “Your cooperative groups are working on long-term projects which will end with presentations to the class. You have given them class time to plan and organize. One group is upset because Stella, one of the members is a chronic absentee. She is continuing to attend school but only 2-3 days a week, and she has not done any of the work the group has asked her to do. Since part of the grade will be based on how well everyone in the group participates, the group is afraid that Stella will bring down the group grade. They want Stella out of the group.” HO: case study

1. Let the group decide what they want to do. 2. You sit down with the group (without Stella) and discuss some ways to get Stella involved at this time. 3. You sit down with the entire group (Stella, too) and set some firm guidelines for continued participation. 4. You call Stella in your office only and discuss why she needs to participate in the group. 5. You allow Stella to work alone and do a presentation by herself. 6. You (instructor) remove Stella out of the group. resulting in a 0 for Stella, since this is a “group” presentation In Your Group… RANK THE RESPONSES FROM 1 (FIRST) TO 6 (LAST)

SCALE Institute Southern Center for Active Learning Excellence Annual institute (May) External Trainings - 8 certified trainers Trained colleges from VA, NC, MA, OH, IL, CA, AK, PA Courses: 1. Cooperative Learning for the Community College Classroom (4CL) 2. Fundamentals of Active Critical Thinking (FACT) 3. Advanced Student Engagement Techniques (ASET) 4. Active Learning in an Online Environment (CL for DL)

Questions and Panel Discussion……..